Running backs in NFC East will present tough test for Eagles

Running backs in NFC East will present tough test for Eagles

Last weekend, the New York Giants drafted running back Saquon Barkley at No. 2 overall, and the Washington Redskins took former LSU running back Derrius Guice at No. 59. With these additions to the NFC East, the Eagles are set to have one of the toughest schedules in regard to opposing rushing attacks.

Despite Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott missing six games in 2017 because of a suspension, he still has led the league in total rushing output over the past two seasons with 2,614 yards.

The Giants drafted Barkley out of Penn State instead of selecting a top-tier quarterback, which tells us they expect to build the team around him. While it’s still too early to see exactly how New York plans to use him, it should be expected that he will be a difference-maker.

Our friends at Pro Football Focus, who are generally praised for their projections, have Barkley projected to run for over 1,000 yards while gaining another 500 through receptions.

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Guice, the seventh running back taken in the draft, may not seem like an immediate threat, but his college production shows that he very well might be. Last year for LSU, Guice had 1,157 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns while playing in the SEC, the toughest conference in college football.

All three of these teams will present Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with a tough challenge two times a year. It should be noted, too, that all three teams could take a step backward in the passing game.

In Dallas, the release of Dez Bryant and the retirement of Jason Witten will give Dak Prescott trouble. Eli Manning continues to struggle as he gets older, and with no heir apparent, his problems should continue. Washington lost quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency and will need time to establish chemistry.

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After allowing the fewest rushing yards in the league in 2017, the Eagles will return almost their entire starting defense. This should allow them to handle the likes of Elliott, Barkley and Guice as well as any other team in the league in 2018.

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